All eyes will be glued to the television from September 19 as the IPL will finally take centre stage in the United Arab Emirates. After predicting for such a long time IPL 2020 will begin in precisely in a month in the UAE. Cricket is slowly but surely coming back on track for which everyone is passionate about.
IPL is a grand stage where talent meets opportunities. Where dreams are realised as the best of the best compete against each other in the biggest T20 league in the world. The level of competition is the USP of IPL as there is no shortage of action and we see brilliance from players day in and day out for close to 2 long months.
In the feature, we will look upon 5 players that might choose to hang their boots after IPL 2020. Now we are not saying that these 5 players will certainly star in their last IPL but we are presuming due to their age, current form and their prospective international career.
Here 5 Players Who Might Play Their Last IPL:
5. Suresh Raina
The youngest in the list and at number 5 is MR. IPL, Suresh Raina. The 33-year-old shocked everyone when he announced his retirement alongside his good friend MS Dhoni. Raina was out of Indian team for a long time and with the exciting new players coming in the Indian cricket decided to call it curtains on his impactful international career.
Now fitness and age are surely on Raina’s side but if the batsman underperforms in the upcoming IPL season and CSK suffer due to that in the league he might shock everyone again.
We all want Raina to feature in the IPL for another 4-5 years but grasping the kind of player he is, he might think not playing IPL again once he badly goes out of form. Raina is the second-highest run-scorer in the league’s history only behind Virat Kohli and will be a massive player of CSK in IPL 2020.
4. Chris Gayle
The ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle who has entertained and lit up stadiums in the IPL with his magical performance might play in his last IPL. When you talk about the IPL you will surely mention Gayle because of the influence he has had on the league since making his debut.
The greatest T20 batsman of all time in 40 years and speculations suggest that the end is near the legendary batsmen. Gayle has still not been able to win the IPL in his career and will be trying his best to help KXIP win the IPL crown this year.
The destructive batsman is everyone’s favourite as he has been a major draw throughout his career but every cricketer has to move someday. IPL 2020 may be Gayle’s last in the United Arab Emirates and if that’s the truth he will surely go down in history as the GOAT of T20 cricket.
3. Lasith Malinga
The legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been the ‘king-pin’ of Mumbai Indian’s bowling attack for over a decade. He is one of the most prominent reasons why MI has won the most IPL title in League’s history.
Malinga will turn 37 next month and with his fitness going down in the last few years and with him already retiring from ODI cricket last year, IPL 2020 may be his last.
Slinga Malinga has achieved everything in the IPL as he is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history and has been part of the IPL winning side 4 times. Mumbai after the season may look to introduce Malinga in the coaching staff after he ends his illustrious career.
2. AB de Villiers
Now this name will surely not make anyone happy as next on the list is MR. 360 AB de Villiers. The wizard batsman is arguably the most skilful batsman cricket has ever seen. His freakish ability to hit sixes on every corner of the ground made him a crowd favourite in India throughout his career. The buzz in the stadium is just surreal when de Villiers walks into to bat in the IPL.
With the star batsman already retired from international cricket and RCB management looking to introduce young players in the side, he might take an exit from the league after this season.
The champion batsman is currently 36 years old and his prime years are already behind him. ABD will be hoping to win that elusive IPL trophy this year and decide to retire in style. RCB will heavily depend on the batting genius once again in the UAE from next month.
1. MS Dhoni
The great MS Dhoni made everyone emotional on India’s independence day when he bid goodbye to international cricket. A piece of news that has still has not settled in because of the impact he had in his storied career.
The 39-year-old is known to shock everyone with his decision. Even though the CSK franchise has hinted that ‘Thala’ will play for another 2-3 seasons in the IPL. The ultimate choice will be of Dhoni who knows best when to play his closing IPL season.
IPL 2020 may be the ‘last dance’ in the career of MS Dhoni as he might go from the game after a successful IPL season. Dhoni will be hoping to lead the CSK team to yet another IPL trophy and then opt for the role of a mentor in the IPL franchise.
The celebrated cricket will grab the limelight in the forthcoming IPL season as he will make his much-anticipated return to cricket after more than a year.